Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of cells using engineered receptors, polynucleotide encoded engineered receptors, and gene therapy vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding engineered receptors. These compositions and methods find particular use in modulating the activity of neurons, for example in the treatment of disease or in the study of neuronal circuits.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of cells using engineered receptors, polynucleotide encoded engineered receptors, and gene therapy vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding engineered receptors. These compositions and methods find particular use in modulating the activity of neurons, for example in the treatment of disease or in the study of neuronal circuits.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of cells using engineered receptors, polynucleotide encoded engineered receptors, and gene therapy vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding engineered receptors. These compositions and methods find particular use in modulating the activity of neurons, for example in the treatment of disease or in the study of neuronal circuits.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for modulating the activity of cells using engineered receptors, polynucleotide encoded engineered receptors, and gene therapy vectors comprising polynucleotides encoding engineered receptors. These compositions and methods find particular use in modulating the activity of neurons, for example in the treatment of disease or in the study of neuronal circuits.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for security management of an electronic device or subscriber are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a profile server and an inspection point server that are both connectable to a mobile electronic device. The mobile electronic device is configured to send contextual data such as location data or information pertaining to the identity of the subscriber from the device and into a network attached to the mobile electronic device. The profile server is configured to authorize (or deny authorization) the release of contextual data such as location data or information pertaining to the identity of the subscriber. The inspection point server is configured to intercept the contextual data such as location data or information pertaining to the identity of the subscriber being sent from the device and query the profile server to determine if the request was authorized.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for detecting the presence of a non-prion pathogenic conformer in a sample by contacting the sample suspected of containing a non-prion pathogenic conformer with a pathogenic conformer-specific binding reagent under conditions that allow the binding of the reagent to the pathogenic conformer, if present; and detecting the presence the pathogenic conformer, if any, in the sample by its binding to the reagent; where the pathogenic conformer-specific binding reagent is typically derived from a prion protein fragment and interacts preferentially with a pathogenic prion protein. Methods for diagnosis of conformational diseases are also provided.

Abstract: A system for controlling the aerobic phase of a wastewater treatment cycle in a sequencing batch reactor, comprising a tank, an air blower, at least one sensor for measuring the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the tank, and means to control the length of time that the air blower introduces air into the wastewater and to maintain at a constant level the volume of air introduced per time by the air blower. The length of time that the air blower introduces air is determined by the change in the slope of the curve representing the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the wastewater. The volume of air to be introduced per time by the air blower is determined based on the average concentration of dissolved oxygen from the previous wastewater treatment cycle.

Abstract: A system for controlling the aerobic phase of a wastewater treatment cycle in a sequencing batch reactor, comprising a tank, an air blower, at least one sensor for measuring the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the tank, and means to control the length of time that the air blower introduces air into the wastewater and to maintain at a constant level the volume of air introduced per time by the air blower. The length of time that the air blower introduces air is determined by the change in the slope of the curve representing the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the wastewater. The volume of air to be introduced per time by the air blower is determined based on the average concentration of dissolved oxygen from the previous wastewater treatment cycle.

Abstract: A method is performed by first and second mobile wireless communication devices used respectively by first and second users. In the method, a first user selects, on the first device, a first task for the first user to perform. The first device sends to the second device a request to link the first task to a second task to be performed by the second user. The second device sends to the first device, in response to the second task being completed, a notification to the first device.

Abstract: A dual function circuit for providing an output voltage to a transimpedance amplifier is disclosed. The dual function circuit can be selected between functioning as a current to voltage conversion circuit connected to a photodiode and as a testing circuit for testing the transimpedance amplifier without exposing light to the photodiode. The dual function circuit comprises two current mirror pairs to ensure that a substantially similar dc bias current is applied to the two driving transistors. In addition, by applying an input testing voltage to the two driving transistors in a common gate/base design, the output of the testing circuit has wide band frequency response. No switching is required to select between the test mode and the normal mode.

Abstract: A heat sink for a computer chip is adapted for mounting to a heat exchange plate that has elongate slots with limited clearance on the other side. Mounting apparatus includes latch pins with an elongate knob at the end to have a T-shape with a reduced shaft to define a shank and collar that are so sized as to control the projection of the knob beyond the slot. Specially bent flexible members are preferably interposed between the collar and heat sink to force intimate engagement with the heat exchange plate.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus capable of transmitting data at two or more different data rates contains transmitter circuitry, a cable connection mechanism, and an isolation transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transmitter circuitry low-pass filters digital data which the transmitter circuitry transmits to the primary winding at a first data rate. The transmitter circuitry also transmits digital data to the primary winding at a second data rate different from, typically greater than, the first data rate. The cable connection mechanism provides outgoing data from the secondary winding to the communication cable. Importantly, the transmitter circuitry is operable to generate current-sourced data signals at both data rates and then to convert the current-sourced signals into impedance-produced voltage signals that constitute the outgoing data. Current-source amplifier circuitry normally generates the current-sourced signals.

Abstract: A data transmission method entails differentially transmitting low-pass filtered first outgoing data to and through an isolation transformer at a first data rate. Second outgoing data is differentially transmitted to and through the transformer in the same direction as the first outgoing data but at a second data rate different from, typically greater than, the first data rate. The so-transmitted first and second outgoing data is coupled from the transformer to a communication cable during different time intervals. A related data reception method involves coupling incoming data from a communication cable to and through the isolation transformer and providing the so-coupled incoming data differentially along data transfer paths that extend from the transformer to and through where data moving at the first data rate is received to where data moving at the second data rate is received such that the data transfer paths have a largely constant characteristic impedance.

Abstract: A data-transmitting apparatus contains first and second transmitters, a transmit transformer, and a connecting unit for coupling the transformer to an outgoing twisted-pair cable. The first transmitter filters data to produce outgoing data transmitted to the transformer at a first data rate. The second transmitter transmits outgoing data to the transformer at a different, typically greater, second data rate. A data-receiving apparatus contains first and second receivers, a receive transformer, and a connecting unit for coupling an incoming twisted-pair cable to the receive transformer. The first and second receivers receive incoming data from the secondary winding respectively at the first and second data rates. Incoming data is typically provided along data transfer paths that extend from the receive transformer in a daisy chain manner to the receivers. Data moving at either data rate can be transmitted and received without the need for hot switching in the data paths.

Abstract: Scoring equipment particularly adaptable to a sword combat sport, includes a limb target and a helmet. The limb target has a base configured to be worn by a user at a location near a joint of the user's limb. A lever is pivotally mounted on the base and extends to a lever terminal end. The lever terminal end is fastened to the user on a side of the user's joint opposite the base. A locking mechanism is connected between the base and the lever. The locking mechanism has a set condition in which articulation of the user's joint is unencumbered by the scoring equipment. The locking mechanism also has a tripped condition in which the locking mechanism restricts the rotation of the lever relative to the base and thereby restricts the articulation of the user's joint. The locking mechanism is responsive to a force applied to the locking mechanism to place the locking mechanism in the tripped condition from the set condition.

Abstract: A symmetrical non-linear network for use in a function generator in which one or other of a pair of transistors is brought progressively into conduction by a non-linear network, so as to present a low dynamic resistance between the terminals. The non-linear network preferably includes a pair of diodes having a lower turn on voltage than that of the associated transistors, for example Schottky diodes with silicon transistors.The invention also provides a function generator incorporating the above non-linear network for converting square waves to sine waves in which the amplitude of the input signal to the network is controlled automatically.